CYCLING across 350 miles of the world's toughest terrain would not be the idea of fun to most people, but for one athlete it was the realisation of a dream.

Nigel Wilkinson has returned from the gruelling seven-day Trans Rockies Mountain Bike Race, in Canada.

The endurance event is known as the hardest mountain bike race in the world.

It attracted 740 entrants this year - of which only two-thirds finished.

Mr Wilkinson, of Darlington, has been mountain biking for ten years. He has been a member of Hamsterley Trailblazers for two years and is North-East cyclo-cross champion.

The graduate physiotherapist has also run ten Great North Runs, six London Marathons and other local races.

He has wanted to do the Trans Rockies event for several years after watching it on the Extreme Sport television channel.

Earlier this year, he responded to a request from fellow club rider Ash Scott to enter the race.

The event took place from August 12 to 18 in seven stages across British Columbia, some as long as 72 miles.

Cyclists competed over seven stages on mountainous roads, tracks and even across rivers.

During some of the passes, competitors had to walk, run or carry their bikes.

Entrants have to compete in teams of two for safety reasons - the route goes along 200m drops and forests where grizzly bears, elk and moose live.

But Mr Scott had to pull out after one day because of a virus he had suffered from in the run-up to the race.

Mr Wilkinson, 34, was able to continue by cycling with other lone riders and other teams.

He said: "It is an epic mountain bike race through the heart of the rugged Canadian Rocky mountains. It has proven an adventure and an experience.

"When you get to the top of the mountains some of the views are exhilarating.

"The descents are out of this world.

"They were so long and so steep there is nothing you can compare them to."

Mr Wilkinson finished seventh in the unclassified section - for those riders whose partner was unable to finish - which was headed by world champion Andreas Hestler.

He said: "When I got back, I said never, never, ever am I doing this event ever again. I now have more appreciation for what they go through.

"I never wanted to experience that pain, but upon reflection I am slowly talking my way round for 2008."